Background:

This hearing will highlight how the lack of data transparency is leading to increased numbers of species being listed and critical habitat being designated under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). This lack of transparency leads to questions about the scientific inadequacy and lack of prioritization of decisions and fails to give the public the right-to-know what means are justifying endangered species ends. This situation will worsen in light of the rushed nature of the so-called mega-settlements, in which the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is required to determine the potential listings of over 779 species by 2016. At a time when the federal government’s science is already being questioned because it is not made available, it makes little sense to list more species under a litigation-caused edict. This hearing is the second in a series being held by the Committee this Congress on the Endangered Species Act. In June, the Committee examined the positive species conservation efforts being undertaken at ‘on-the-ground’ levels when compared to the seemingly never-ending cycle of Endangered Species Act litigation.

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